Sometimes, a typical sports bar can turn into too much of a party scene to truly enjoy a football game. The raucous atmosphere can distract more than entertain: Swamped bartenders and overzealous (or too tipsy) fans spilling beer can dampen even a Ravens blowout win. Constantly craning your neck to get a good view of a TV quickly gets old, too.

When Federal Hill's Pub Dog Pizza & Drafthouse expanded to Columbia in 2007, its managers were aware of its surroundings — namely Nottingham's and the Greene Turtle, two well-established sports bars in the area.

So Pub Dog decided to offer an alternative to the usual sports bar experience. Instead of creating a scream-to-be-heard scene, Pub Dog keeps the sound of the game off, allowing customers to enjoy its beers and pizza in relative peace. Locally brewed beers, award-winning pizza and a Ravens game? There are worse ways to spend a Sunday.

Drinks: On Sundays, Pub Dog sells 22-ounce plastic souvenir cups for $6. Customers can get it filled with any of Pub Dog's beers. Refills cost $3, and regulars know to bring the cup back each week rather than buy a new one.

Food: In the October 2011 issue of Baltimore Magazine, Pub Dog's thin-crust pizza was named among the best in the area. Although not discounted during games, the pizza (ranging from $8-$10) is worth the regular price. The 10-inch pies are satisfying enough for one, and include flavors such as Alaskan Husky (three-cheese white pizza with olive oil and basil) and Cajun Dog (spicy chicken and sausage with red onion and fresh garlic).

Atmosphere: Pub Dog is a place for sports fans, dates, families and, of course, four-legged friends (outdoor seating allows dogs to hang out alongside diners). If you're in search of a bar to cheer on the Ravens without the usual cluster of day-drinking fans, Pub Dog will come as a relief.